Head of Collections Discovery & Systems

Job Purpose
 
Strategic leadership in digital management, preservation and access for the Library’s unique and distinctive collections to maximise the potential for research, learning and knowledge exchange locally, nationally and internationally.
 
Provision of expert specialist advice on the deployment, development and replacement of systems and platforms for the management of collections.

As part of Library Collections management team, bring professional expertise and knowledge to ensure the development and management of the Library’s unique and distinctive collections.
 
Main Duties and Responsibilities
 

• Articulate and deliver an ambitious vision for collections digital discovery, preservation, and access.
• Lead the strategic development and progression of a digital infrastructure roadmap for Library Collections, centred on the needs of our unique and distinctive collections, our staff and our service users.  Ensure that senior managers are regularly briefed on the systems landscape and advised about investment opportunities to maintain effective and sustainable infrastructure.
• Working with colleagues within Library Collections, Information Services, and the Colleges, lead the development and implementation of a digital access roadmap, identifying and enabling opportunities to deliver the Library’s unique collections online to a global audience. Develop networks and engage with key stakeholders to identify and enable digital humanities research projects and partnerships centred around our unique and distinctive collections.
• Develop and implement a digital preservation roadmap, ensuring long-term preservation and accessibility of born-digital collections.  Build and maintain effective networks across Information Services, University Services, and the Colleges to ensure the provision of effective and relevant digital preservation advice and services to the University community.
• Work closely with the Digital Library Team, ensuring effective co-ordination and efficiencies across the Library’s digital systems and platforms.
• Support Library Collections team members to ensure local metadata are fit for purpose, meeting all relevant international standards. Provide strategic leadership on the ways data pertaining to the University’s rich collections can be better optimised, shared, reused, and rendered interoperable to ensure the emergence of new strategic partnerships, sectoral initiatives, and as a platform for research and innovation.
• Lead, support and develop staff, ensuring professional standards and quality assured outputs.
• Represent the University at national and international conferences and meetings.  Proactively participate in Higher Education and professional networks and initiatives.  Enhance Library Collections’ activities through leveraging strategic partnerships and external funding.
• As a member of Library Collections Senior Management Team continue to develop an engaged and effective team to deliver high quality services to the University community and beyond.

Knowledge/Qualifications
 
Essential:

• A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist professional librarian / archivist / information science roles. Or, Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant librarian / archivist / information science discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).
• A2 Strong evidence of continuing to develop professional skills and knowledge.
• A3 Deep understanding of the issues, challenges, and opportunities of digital transformation in research libraries.
• A4 Authoritative knowledge of national and international initiatives and standards in data-sharing and interoperability.
• A5 Expert knowledge of collections / content management and discovery systems.
• A6 Understanding of digital preservation systems.
• A7 Authoritative knowledge of relevant collections metadata standards and schema (e.g. ISAD-G, EAD, DCRM(B), MARC21).

Desirable:

• B1 Knowledge and understanding of the principles associated with varieties of Linked Open Data deployed within the cultural heritage or research-intensive sectors, including the use of persistent identification and graphing of entities to aid data sharing and resource discovery.
• B2 Cognisance of FAIR and its importance in exposing digital collections to human and machine users.

Skills
 
Essential:

• C1 Excellent IT, systems designs and systems development skills.
• C2 Highly effective, confident written and verbal communicator, including preparation and delivery of presentations to University management teams and committees.
• C3 Proven relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, advice and support a wide range of stakeholders.
• C4 Ability to interpret, articulate and disseminate complex technical information to varied audiences.
• C5 Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan, organise and define priorities and direct time effectively.
• C6 Demonstrable leadership skills with the ability to manage teams and staff.
• C7 Highly effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
• C8 Numerate, with the ability to manage budgets and resources.
• C9 Ability to liaise and co-operate with people within a team to deliver team objectives.

Experience
 
Essential:

• E1 Experience in metadata and asset management for very large collections, including in-depth knowledge of library and archival metadata standards (e.g. ISAD-G, DCRM(B), MARC21), interoperability platforms (e.g. IIIF), and metadata harvesting protocols (e.g. OAI-PMH, ResourceSync).
• E2 Proven track record of managing information systems, including managing system integrations, solving interoperability challenges, and successfully exchanging complex data across local and third-party systems (e.g. via APIs).
• E3 Experience of leading and managing complex programmes, evidencing strong organisational and leadership skills.
• E4 Proven track record in building relationships, both internally and externally.
• E5 Track record of leading and managing a team effectively towards delivering strategic goals.
• E6 Experience of matrix working and working collaboratively across teams.

 Desirable:

• F1 Track record of innovation in delivering and improving services.
• F2 Experience in implementation and management of digital preservation software, systems, tools and standards (e.g. PREMIS, OCFL, etc.).
• F3 Comfort working with data and metadata schema in a diverse range of serializations (e.g. XML, JSON, TEI, etc.).

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